Family Show

 Silent Night (group sign language song)

 Janika signing "The First Noel"

 Janelle's solo, "Jolly Old Saint Nicholas"

 "Santa Baby"  Janika singing to Nate's Dad (who is her dentist...awkward!!)

 Dana, "The Christmas Fairy"

 Janika's solo "Joy To the World"

 

My kids are by no means the only ones with solos, it is just that I am a little biased when taking pictures.  They all have fabulous solos and lines! 

Carolers!

 

Caroling season has officially begun!  Tonight was the "Family Show" to open up the season.  It is fun to see how much these kids are enjoying performing and being together.  Even little Jenna knows many of the songs and lines just from hearing the kids practice.  Today she was sitting at the snack bar and opened her eyes really big like she was surprised and her mouth into a big open smile and then said, "This is a caroler face!"  So it is!  

More Fun at the Park!

This is absolutely the BEST place to be this time of year.  The weather is gorgeous!  My dad and I walked the kids to the Heights park and the kids wore me out playing "chase" and "tag."  They also had me take pictures of them doing their tricks.  Then they spent some time running around the little skate park. Fun times!

 

Thanksgiving and Family Pictures

We ate our big thanksgiving meal for lunch. Everything turned out to perfection -- delicious moist turkey, candied yams, corn, carrots, mashed potatoes and gravy, rolls, pretzel jello.  I absolutely love the combination of different flavors and textures.  Of course there is plenty of noise with the kids: whining, bickering, and teasing which makes for an impatient and stressed out mom.  But there was ample time to relax and enjoy each others company too.  We haven't had any family pictures taken since last Thanksgiving and so I had everyone put on their church clothes (amidst murmuring from the boys) and had my dad take some pictures.  It is difficult to get everyone looking good at the same time but we got a few that turned out pretty cute!

Grandma and Grandpa Are Here!!

Yesterday was busy with piano lessons, the Geckathon, Josh's school party, my class, carolers recording, a party that evening and Grandma and Grandpa arriving.  The evening hours left our house alive filled with extra teenagers and tweens at the house.

Today was a beautiful sunny day and Grandpa Westra and I walked to the park with the kids.  Jared practiced his back flips and we had a rousing game of soccer.  Jenna loved it but cried whenever she went too long without getting a chance to kick the ball. After lunch Grandma Westra and I started doing Thanksgiving cooking for tomorrow (yummy candied yams and pretzel jello) and then we still had to throw together something for dinner (stir fry).

We put the four youngest to bed and then Rick, Jase, and Grandma and Grandpa stayed up playing a new game Rick got ("Dominion") and I worked on a blog book.  Jared had a friend over until 10:30 and Janika, who was at a friend's house, arrived home shortly after.  Looking forward to our big meal tomorrow!

Geckathon

Today was Jared's school "Geckathon" (their school mascot it the Gecko -- thus the name).  They swam 300 meters (12 pool lengths) then biked four miles, and then ran two miles.  Jared did great!  He struggled a little with the swimming but he was able to catch up with the biking and running and came in 13th place in the boys (there were about 50 boys participating and 30 girls).  His time was 49.22.   Way to go, Jared!!

Happy Birthday Rick!!

Rick's birthday is today!  Now he is officially older than me for another six months.  Jaiden had bought a present for her Dad at her school auction.  When she came home with it last Friday she was so excited.  She said, "Look, I got a "Dad" thing!"  It was some type of black folder/binder that holds a notebook, papers, and pens.  She was SO excited and couldn't wait to give it to him.  The carolers came over right after school to start recording their CD and then they all sang "Happy Birthday" (all in harmony -- it sounded incredible!) and had brownies.  We ended the evening by playing charades for FHE -- acting out things we were thankful for. 

Day of Service

Today was our branch Day of Service.  I stayed home with the younger kids but Rick went with Janika, Jared, and Janelle and they all did yard work for some members of the branch.  Jase had a scout camp-out last night (after he got home from his caroling performance) and so he wasn't able to go.  Jaiden, Josh, and Jenna were invited to their friend Eva's birthday party and kept asking me ALL DAY long if it was time to go yet.  Finally 3:00 arrived and they all had a great time.  The girls came home with princess wands and crowns and Josh came home with a sword and shield.  So cute!   Rick and I went to the temple for our Branch Temple Night and Janika babysat for a neighbor.  Also, my brother and his wife had a new baby this morning so I have a new nephew -- can't wait to meet him!!

Carolers -- Jubilee of Trees

Well, the Hands in Harmony Carolers had their first performance tonight for the Gala at the Jubilee of Trees!  Next week they will work on recording a CD and then regular performances start the last week in November.  I sat in on their dress rehearsal Thursday night and they looked and sounded great!